Vertebral Contention Walls for Rotational Instability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical treatments for rotational instability in the lumbar vertebrae, such as cauterization, osteosynthesis systems, implants between vertebral bodies, inter-process prostheses, and posterior joint prostheses, fail to effectively manage pain while maintaining controlled amplitude movements, and often compromise the natural biomechanics of the spine, leading to complications and accelerated degeneration.
Innovation Solution
The development of vertebral contention equipment featuring bone anchor means and rigid walls extending over the spinous process of one vertebra to limit pivot movements, combined with elastic or viscoelastic means for damping, which are anchored in pedicle screws and positioned to maintain physiological movement amplitudes, replacing or assisting defective natural retention elements like ligaments and posterior joint bone masses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If osteosynthesis systems with pedicle screws are used to treat two vertebrae, then stability is improved, but the superjacent functional unit is damaged or compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the treatment by using separate contension walls for each vertebra instead of a single rigid rod connecting both vertebrae. Each wall is independently anchored to its respective vertebra, allowing localized stabilization without compromising the functional unit between vertebrae.
Solution Approach 2:
The contension walls are designed to provide localized stabilization at specific vertebral levels rather than rigid fixation across multiple levels. This allows each vertebra to maintain its natural biomechanical properties while receiving targeted support where needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid inter-process prostheses are placed to control movements, then stability is improved, but torsion movements are badly retained and biomechanical efficiency is doubtful
Solution Approach 1:
The contension walls are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to adapt to physiological movements including torsion. The walls can accommodate lateral bends and rotational movements while maintaining stabilization, rather than imposing rigid constraints that would prevent natural spinal mechanics.
3Strength
If implants between vertebral bodies are placed to stabilize vertebrae, then structural support is improved, but the implant cannot be stable in torsion and may accelerate degeneration of posterior joint bone masses
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing implants between vertebral bodies (anterior approach), the contension walls are positioned posteriorly adjacent to the spinous processes. This posterior placement provides structural support while maintaining natural anterior vertebral body relationships and avoiding interference with torsional mechanics of the intervertebral joints.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If cauterization is performed to treat pain from disk fibers or nerve ramifications, then pain relief is attempted, but the technique is not reliable and percutaneous identification is very uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the uncertain percutaneous cauterization technique with a mechanical stabilization system. The contension walls provide structural support and pain relief through biomechanical stabilization rather than thermal destruction of nerves, eliminating the need for uncertain percutaneous identification while providing reliable pain management.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This equipment effectively controls lateral and torsional movements within physiological amplitudes, reducing pain and degeneration, while preserving natural movement and alignment, and is indicated for conditions like facet arthropathies and rotational spondylolisthesis, providing a stable and durable solution.
Implementation Method 1
two elements (6) made of an elastic or viscoelastic material
Implementation Method 2
two elements (6) made of an elastic or viscoelastic material
Implementation Method 3
elastic or viscoelastic means for damping lateral and torsional movements
Data Source
AI summary
The equipment (1) includes:bone anchor elements (2) that will be anchored in a first of the two treated vertebrae (100), andtwo rigid walls (3) that can be connected to the bone anchor elements (2), that will be arranged on each side of the spinous process (101) of the second treated vertebra (100) with no connection to it and sized to extend over at least the height of the spinous process (101), these walls (3) thus being capable of limiting pivot movements of this second vertebra (100) about an axis approximately perpendicular to the intervertebral disk.